Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Your Overall Dental Health

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How often should I see a dentist?

The answer to this question is different for everyone. As a general rule, every six months should be your goal, but some people may need to see the dentist and/or hygienist more frequently due to overall dental health or other special conditions.

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Do you screen for oral cancer?

We visually screen for oral cancer at every check up. We also offer state-of-the-art oral cancer screening (Vizalite) which can detect oral cancer before it is visible to the naked eye. You may be a candidate for Vizalite screening if you have high risk factors for oral cancer including family history of cancer or alcohol or tobacco use. Seeing your dentist regularly is an important tool in the early detection of oral cancer.

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At what age should my child begin seeing a dentist?

We recommend that your child see a dentist at least once by age three. However, if you see something of concern, you should promptly consult your dentist regardless of your child’s age. We love working with kids and have a very active pediatric patient base.

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My teeth feel fine and I brush and floss regularly. Do I still need to see a dentist?

Your teeth may feel fine, but it’s still important to see a dentist regularly because problems can exist before you feel pain.

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Are you able to detect cavities at their earliest stages?

Yes! We have a state-of-the-art cavity detection system called Spectra. Using fluorescence technology, Spectra is able to detect cavities before they are visible on the surface of the teeth and before they cause pain and damage to the gums and underlying tooth structure. This means that Spectra will pick up a cavity before it would show up on a traditional x-ray. Ask us about this breakthrough technology at your next visit.

Sedation Dentistry

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Am I a candidate for sedation dentistry?

You are a candidate for sedation if you have anxiety about dental visits, difficulty getting numb, previous traumatic dental experiences, very sensitive teeth, a bad gag reflex, limited time to complete dental care or complex dental or other health problems.

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Many dentists advertise that they do “sedation dentistry.” Why is your office different?

Most dentists that advertise “sedation dentistry” are only able to offer you nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation. Our office is among the few dental offices in the area that offer IV sedation dentistry by a board certified anesthesiologist without having to go to another doctor’s office or surgical center.

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Why choose IV sedation over oral conscious sedation?

IV sedation has many advantages over oral conscious sedation. With IV sedation, you do not need to take any medication prior to your appointment. This means you will arrive at our office clear-headed and not drowsy and you can ask questions and understand the answers. Second, once IV sedation is administered to you, the effects are almost instantaneous. This means that you do not need to wait for a pill to be absorbed into the bloodstream (which can take up to an hour or more). Third, because of the method of delivery (through an IV) you will not continue to receive any of the sedative once the medication has been removed. This means the patient will be less groggy and drowsy when leaving the office. And finally, because you are asleep during your procedure and unaware of your surroundings while under IV sedation, you will have no memory of treatment (which may not be the case if you are orally sedated and awake and aware during your procedure).

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Will I feel anything if I am sedated using IV sedation?

Generally, no. Most patients feel no discomfort whatsoever during treatment and are surprised at how well they feel after treatment too.

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Will I remember anything if I am sedated using IV sedation?

Generally, no. Most patients remember little to nothing of their dental treatment performed under IV sedation.

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Do I need to bring anyone to my appointment if I am sedated?

Yes! For your safety we require that you bring a friend or family member to drive you home after your treatment.

Is IV sedation safe for me?

Millions of dental procedures have been performed safely under IV sedation over the last several decades. Before starting any treatment, your health history will be reviewed by the board certified anesthesiologist and you will be closely monitored during your treatment to ensure your safety.

Cosmetic Dentistry

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I don’t like my smile. How can I improve it?

There is no one size fits all answer to this question. At your initial consultation with Dr. Lubliner, he will go over all of your concerns and make recommendations based upon your individual circumstances. Sometimes there are multiple ways to approach an issue and Dr. Lubliner will make sure that you understand all of your options and the pros and cons of each. Our office specializes in cosmetic dentistry including crowns, bridges, veneers, implant restorations and teeth whitening. Make an appointment today and find out which of these options is right for you.

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Isn’t Cosmetic Dentistry expensive?

Your gorgeous smile may be less expensive than you think. Every case is different so come in for a consultation and find out your options and the associated costs. We offer interest free financing for dental procedures through Care Credit, if you qualify.

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Will my insurance cover cosmetic dentistry?

Every insurance plan is different, but partial coverage may be available for cosmetic dental procedures in certain circumstances. Our friendly front desk staff will go over all of this information with you prior to the start of any work.

Veneers

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Is there a difference between porcelain veneers and porcelain laminates?

No. Porcelain veneers and porcelain laminates both refer to a lab made porcelain facade that is bonded to your existing teeth.

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Why would I choose porcelain laminates (porcelain veneers) over composite resin bonding? Isn’t bonding cheaper and you get the same result?

Composite resin bonding is a stock material that a dentist bonds to your teeth and then shapes by hand chair-side. Although composite resin bonding is initially a cheaper option and can look great when it is first placed, over time the bonding can stain and chip and bonding is not as durable, strong or as aesthetic as porcelain. Replacing old bonding over and over again will cost more than choosing the porcelain option from the beginning.

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Will it hurt when you shape my teeth prior to placing the veneers?

We only remove a small amount of tooth when we prepare for veneer placement. Typically you will feel little to no discomfort during this process.

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How many veneers will I need?

There is no one size fits all answer to this question. Everyone’s smile is different and many factors go into this determination. Make an appointment with our office and Dr. Lubliner can discuss all of the relevant factors with you and help you design a beautiful smile.

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Why would I use veneers to whiten my teeth? Isn’t it cheaper and easier to just use a whitening system?

Some tooth stains just do not respond to whitening treatments. Whitening may not work for you if you have a previously root canaled tooth (no tooth pulp), antibiotic or fluoride stains, or prior trauma to a tooth. In these cases, veneers may be your best option for a gorgeous, white smile. Also, whitening is not necessarily a permanent solution for stains (they can re-occur).

Whitening

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What causes tooth discoloration?

There are many causes of tooth discoloration. The most common causes are aging and the consumption or use of staining substances such as colas, coffee, tea, tobacco, red wine etc. When teeth are forming, the consumption or use of tetracycline, certain antibiotics or excessive amounts of fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration.

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Am I a candidate for tooth whitening?

Almost anyone can benefit from teeth whitening. However, treatment may not be as effective for some patients as it is for others. Make an appointment with our office and Dr. Lubliner can determine if you are a viable candidate for this procedure through an oral exam, including a current shade assessment of your teeth.

Our Office

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What will happen at my first appointment?

That depends. If you have no immediate problems, at your first visit to our office, you will have a comprehensive exam and consultation with the doctor and we will take x-rays. Dr. Lubliner will go over his findings with you, suggest next steps and treatment options and answer any questions that you may have. However, if you have an immediate problem or an emergency, Dr. Lubliner would be happy to address that issue first. Your comfort is our number one concern and we understand that there is no one size fits all approach to your dental needs.

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Will my teeth be cleaned at my first appointment?

Generally, no. We believe that it is important for you to have a comprehensive exam and a consultation with Dr. Lubliner prior to the commencement of any non-emergency work, including cleanings. We offer different types of cleanings depending on your specific dental needs, and we want to make sure we understand any underlying issues beforehand and schedule an adequate amount of time with one of our hygienists.

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What should I tell Dr. Lubliner at my appointment?

Dr. Lubliner needs to know everything that may help him diagnose problems or treat you appropriately. Tell us about:Your fears (if any) about dental treatment and going to the dentist. Many patients have fears of the dentist dating to childhood. Pain control and treatment options are constantly evolving. The things you fear from childhood may no longer exist or there may be new and improved (and less painful and invasive) ways of dealing with them. Or maybe you’re a candidate for dentistry while sedated. We have many fearful patients and we pride ourselves on our ability to find the right treatment solutions for very patient.Your overall health. We need to know if you’ve been diagnosed with a disease or a condition or if you are taking any medications (whether prescription or over-the-counter). Even diseases or conditions that are unrelated to the mouth may impact your treatment or require that we take a different approach. Please be honest with us. You are only hurting yourself if you don’t tell us all relevant facts about your health.Your dental health and any concerns you may have. We really do want to know if you think you have a cavity, your teeth have become sensitive, or you think you feel a lump in your mouth or something else just doesn’t feel right. Remember, you and your dentist are partners in your dental health and by telling us about symptoms you have, you may help us make an early diagnosis.

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There are tons of dental offices in the Massapequa area. Why should I choose your office?

Dr. Lubliner is an award winning, Ivy-League trained dentist with a particular expertise and interest in cosmetic dentistry. Our patients often remark on his caring chairside manner and his ability to immediately put even the most phobic patients at ease. In addition, every aspect of our state-of-the-art dental practice has been designed with patient comfort and care in mind. Patients tell us that they love our super friendly and talented office staff, beautiful waiting room with fireplace and comfortable treatment chairs, chair-side televisions, high tech dental equipment, in-office wifi and our new and improved website and phone app. We treat you like family from the moment you step through our front door. Make an appointment and experience our high quality, personalized care for yourself. We can’t wait to meet you.

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Are payment plans available for my dental treatment?

We offer several payment options for our patients. Cash, personal check and credit cards are happily accepted and payment is also available online through our secure website. We accept many types of dental insurance and we will process your claim for you upon receipt of any co-payment owed to our office. We also offer patient financing through Care Credit, if you qualify. Make an appointment and our friendly office staff would be pleased to go over your individual insurance benefits and payment options with you.

Do you take my insurance?

Why doesn’t my insurance cover that (or cover that in full)?

Every insurance plan is different and some plans offer better coverage than others. We will make sure that you understand what your insurance will and will not cover at the time your treatment is scheduled so that there will be no surprises at the end of treatment.Click here to learn more about dental insurance